Can I Disable a Window Alarm Sensor?

Yes, you can disable a window alarm sensor. A window sensor can be temporarily disabled by bypassing the associated zone. You can also permanently disable the sensor by deleting its zone from programming. You will need to re-enroll the sensor with the system if you want to use it again.

A window sensor will normally have a Response Type of Perimeter. This means that if the zone is faulted while the system is Armed, then an alarm will occur. This is true whether the system is Armed Away or Armed Stay. If you want to be able to open your window without setting off an alarm while your system is Armed, then you will need to bypass the zone. You will also need to bypass the zone if you want to Arm your system while the window is opened. Bypassing the zone will tell the system to temporarily ignore the sensor. The zone settings will still remain in place. But that zone will not be in effect for that Arming session.

If you want to permanently disable a window sensor and no longer use it with your system, then you can delete its associated zone. This will free up the zone on your system so that you can use it with another sensor. All of the settings for your window sensor will be lost. If you want to use that sensor again, then you will need to re-enroll it with your system. This will include reconfiguring its settings. You will need to access programming if you want to delete a sensor. This will require knowing the Installer Code for the system.

Please note that the process for bypassing sensors varies between different systems. In most cases, you will need to bypass the sensor every time you want to Arm the system. It will not remain bypassed for your next Arming Session. You can also bypass remotely from Total Connect 2.0. Unfortunately, Alarm.com does not allow you to bypass zones remotely.